PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 13:9-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.” (Mark 13:9)
As a Jesus follower, I am committed to following Jesus and the Jesus Way.
I know that I do not do this perfectly, and I know that my faith is weak.
But it is to consider that other Jesus followers – the church – could turn on me.
Yet I know this happens… I sometimes hear stories of this happening.
Jesus is cautioning me to be on my guard, to be prepared for opposition.
The time may come when fellow Jesus followers turn on me too.
This is not an excuse for me to turn on them, and to stop being Jesus-like.
He calls me to stand firm to the end – firm in his humility and grace.
The Spirit will give me the words to speak when that time comes.
Not words of bitterness, spite or anger but Jesus-like words of love, joy and peace.
I’m not looking forward to times like this, when people close to me turn on me.
To prepare I need to double-down on clinging to Jesus and his humble, gracious way.
I need to see those who challenge or oppose me as brothers and sisters, and love them.
And like Jesus, I need to be prepared to forgive them, even if I think they’re wrong.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us, for we do not know what we are doing. Help me to stand firm in my commitment to being humble and gracious, even when others are not treating me this way.
“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” In many places the preaching has to be undercover in order to continue. Modern media helps so much – I’ve seen the results. I’ve seen what Jesus said would happen – where a new convert is rejected and even killed by their family or community. I have not had to stand before judges or community leaders – but there were times when we were under scrutiny and one of our partners did lose their visa status because of evangelism. Still the gospel is being preached. Lord help us to be wise and discerning so that the gospel may reach the unreached!
Stand up for Jesus.
I am His and He is mine and it is in this power I go forward each day. I am an instrument of His peace showing His love and grace to those around me. His presence in my life enables me to be like Jesus unto others. People need to see that Christ Jesus is living in me by my words and deeds. And this is only a possibility when His Spirit continues to lead and guide me. He enables me to be a living epistle read by all those around me.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.